Liquid Filtration System

ABSTRACT

In some embodiments, a filtration system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a housing having a bottom portion, a middle portion coupled to the bottom portion and all upper portions and a cap coupled to the upper portion, (b) a sediment storage area within the bottom portion, (c) a separator area within the middle portion, (d) a porous filter within the upper portion, (e) an access hatch within the cap, (f) an inlet pipe for allowing storm water within a middle chamber, (g) an outlet pipe for allowing filtered water to be discharged from the filtration system, and (h) a central pipe being a passageway through the porous filter.

I. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 11/043,379, filed on Jan. 26, 2005, titled FilterElement for Water Loaded with Solid Particles and Dissolved ToxicSubstances and Purification System Equipped with Said Filter Element,listing Carsten Dierkes as inventor, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

II. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention generally relate to fluidfiltration systems. Particularly, embodiments of the present inventionrelate to water filtration systems. More particularly, embodiments ofthe present invention relate to filtration systems for removingpollutants and other materials.

III. BACKGROUND

Surface runoff is a term used to describe the flow of water, from rain,snowmelt, or other sources, over the land surface, and is a majorcomponent of the water cycle. Runoff occurring on surfaces beforereaching a channel is also called a nonpoint source. If a nonpointsource contains manmade contaminants, the runoff is called nonpointsource pollution. A land area which produces runoff draining to a commonpoint is called a watershed. When runoff flows along the ground, it canpickup soil contaminants such as petroleum, pesticides (e.g., herbicidesand insecticides), or fertilizers becoming discharge or nonpoint sourcepollution.

Urbanization increases surface runoff, by creating more impervioussurfaces such as pavement and buildings, not allowing percolation of thewater down through the soil to the aquifer. It is instead forceddirectly into streams or storm water runoff drains, where erosion andsiltation can be major problems, even when flooding is not. Increasedrunoff reduces groundwater recharge, thus lowering the water table andmaking droughts worse, especially for farmers and others who depend onwater wells.

When antlhropogenic contaminants are dissolved or suspended in runoffthe human impact is expanded to create water pollution. This pollutantload can reach various receiving waters such as streams, rivers, lakes,estuaries and oceans with resultant water chemistry changes to thesewater systems and their related ecosystems. Further, there isconsiderable surface runoff in natural systems from animal wastes beingentrained in runoff or from natural sediment loading in the absence ofhuman alteration of the land. In underdeveloped countries the proportionof runoff attributable to natural factors has greater dominance,principally due to the lack of isolation of water supplies frompotential runoff carrying animal waste.

Environmental issues associated with runoff include the impacts tosurface water, groundwater, and soil through transport of waterpollutants to these systems. Ultimately these consequences translateinto human health risk, ecosystem disturbance, and aesthetic impact towater resources. Some of the contaminants creating the greatest impactto surface waters arising from runoff are petroleum, substances,herbicides, and fertilizers. Quantitative uptake by surface runoff ofpesticides and other contaminants has been studied since the 1960s, andearly on contact of pesticides with water was known to enhancephytotoxicity. In the case of surface waters, the impacts translate towater pollution, since the streams and rivers have received runoffcarrying various chemicals or sediments. When surface waters are used aspotable water supplies, they can be compromised regarding health risksand drinking water aesthetics (e.g., odor, color, and turbidityeffects). Contaminated surface waters risk altering the metabolicprocesses of the aquatic species they host; these alterations can leadto death, such as fish kills, or alter the balance of populationspresent. Other specific impacts are on animal mating, spawning, egg andlarvae viability, juvenile survival, and plant productivity.

Storm water runoff from building roofs, parking lots, roadways, etc.,picks up contaminants harmful to the environment if allowed to pass,untreated, into rivers, streams, aquifers and the like. The EPA has datasuggesting polluted storm water runoff is a leading cause of impairmentto the nearly 40% of surveyed U.S. water bodies which do not meet waterquality standards. Over land or via storm sewer systems, polluted runoffis discharged, often untreated, directly into local water bodies. Thepollutants may include solids including sand, gravel, grass, leaves, andthe like. It is also known storm water runoff can pickup variousnutrients, including phosphorous, potassium, and nitrates from lawn andagricultural fertilizers and heavy metals, including cadmium, zinc,copper, lead, nickel, chromium from metal building roofs, gutters,downspouts, and the like. Storm water runoff from roadways and parkinglots include polycyclic, aromatic hydrocarbons from oils and motorfuels. Of course, significant concentrations of solids and dissolvedpollutants should not be discharged to ground water or openwatercourses. Also, the introduction of this water into the city sewersystem is not desired, since a corresponding capacity must be reservedin this sewer treatment facility for this purpose.

In the case of groundwater, the main issue is contamination of drinkingwater, if the aquifer is abstracted for human use. Regarding soilcontamination, runoff waters can have two important pathways of concern.Firstly, runoff water can extract soil contaminants and carry them inthe form of water pollution to even more sensitive aquatic habitats.Secondly, runoff can deposit contaminants on relatively pristine soils.creating health or ecological consequences.

Mitigation of adverse impacts of runoff can take several forms: land usedevelopment controls aimed at minimizing impervious surfaces in urbanareas, erosion controls for farms and construction sites; flood controlprograms; and chemical use and handling controls in agriculture,landscape maintenance, industrial use, etc.

Chemical use and handling has become a focal point mainly since passageof NEPA (National Environmental Policy Act) in the U.S. States andcities have become more vigilant in controlling the containment andstorage of toxic chemicals, thus preventing releases and leakage.Methods commonly applied are: requirements for double containment ofunderground storage tanks; registration of hazardous materials usage;reduction in numbers of allowed pesticides; and more stringgentregulation of fertilizers and herbicides in landscape maintenance. Inmany industrial cases, pretreatment of wastes is required to minimizeescape of pollutants into sanitary or storm water sewers.

The U.S. Clean Water Act (CWA) requires local governments in urbanizedareas (as defined by the Census Bureau) to obtain storm water dischargepermits for their drainage systems. Essentially this means the localitymust operate a storm water management program for all surface runoffentering the municipal separate storm sewer system. EPA and stateregulations and related publications outline six basic components eachlocal program must contain: public education (informing individuals,households, businesses about ways to avoid storm water pollution);public involvement (support public participation in implementation oflocal programs); illicit discharge detection and elimination (removingsanitary sewer or other non-storm water connections); construction siterunoff controls (e.g., erosion and sediment controls); post-construction(i.e., permanent storm water management controls; and pollutionprevention and “good housekeeping” measures (e.g., system maintenance).Other property owners which operate storm drain systems similar tomunicipalities, such as state highway systems, universities, militarybases and prisons, are also subject to the permit requirements.

Surface runoff is not the only contaminate. Industrial process watersand contained water are polluted liquids providing potential hazards tothe environment. Natural made contaminates, such as animal waste, alsoprovide potential hazards to water supplies.

For liquids, such as water, loaded with solid particles and dissolvedtoxic substances, it is desirable to have a structurally simple filterelement, performing as a purification system, which effectively removesthe solid particles and particulate toxic substances from the liquidwithout great expense.

IV. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In some embodiments, a filtration system may include one or more of thefollowing features: (a) a housing having a bottom portion, a middleportion coupled to the bottom portion and an upper portion, and a capcoupled to the upper portion, (b) a sediment storage area within thebottom portion, (c) a separator area within the middle portion, (d) aporous filter within the upper portion, (e) an access hatch within thecap, (f) an inlet pipe for allowing storm water within a middle chamber,(g) an outlet pipe for allowing filtered water to be discharged from thefiltration system, and (h) a central pipe being a passageway through theporous filter.

In some embodiments, a filtration system may include one or more of thefollowing features: (a) a housing having a bottom portion, a middleportion coupled to the bottom portion and an upper portion, and a capcoupled to the upper portion, (b) a sediment storage area within thebottom portion, (c) a separator area within the middle portion, (d) afilter within the upper portion, the filter being a molded body ofporous concrete, (e) an access hatch within the cap, (f) a water inletopening into the upper portion and a water outlet opening from the upperportion, and (g) a pre-filter leading to the water inlet for leaves andrefuse.

In some embodiments, a storm water treatment apparatus may include oneor more of the following features: (a) a shaft having a bottom, at leastone sidewall and a top spaced from the bottom by the at least onesidewall, and a storm water inlet port formed through the at least onesidewall at a predetermined distance above the bottom, (b) an inlet pipedisposed in the inlet port and oriented to produce a circulatory flow ofstorm water within a portion of the shaft located below the inlet portfor facilitating sedimentation of solid contaminants present in thestorm water, (c) a pervious concrete filter member dimensioned to abutthe at least one sidewall and is horizontally disposed within the shaftat a location above the storm water inlet port, (d) an outlet in the atleast one sidewall located above the level of the pervious concretetilter member whereby storm water exiting the shaft must first passthrough the filter member, (e) an annular baffle overlaying thefrusto-conically shaped recess in the bottom of the shaft, and (f) acleanout passage extending from a location proximate the top to thefrusto-conical shaped recess.

In some embodiments, a method of constructing a filtration system mayinclude one or more of the following steps: (a) forming a housing hatinga bottom portion, a middle portion, an upper portion, and a cap, (b)coupling the bottom portion having a sediment storage area within thebottom portion to the middle portion having a separator area within themiddle portion, (c) coupling the middle portion to the upper portionhaving a porous filter within the upper portion, (d) coupling the upperportion to the cap having an access hatch within the cap, and (e)forming an inlet pipe for allowing storm water within a middle chamber.

In some embodiments, a method of constructing a filtration system mayinclude one or more of the following steps: (a) forming a sedimentstorage area adjacent a bottom of a housing, (b) locating a separatorarea above the sediment storage area and below a porous filter, (c)coupling a cap having an access hatch above the porous filter, (d)forming an outlet pipe for allowing filtered water to be discharged fromthe filtration system, (e) traversing a central pipe through the porousfilter, and (f) inserting an inlet pipe into the housing at an angleabove the separator.

V. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectioned, pictorial view of a storm water filtration systemconstructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of an upstream sump structure inan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is side cutaway profile view of a filtration system in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a side view of a porous concrete filter and overflow pipewhich makes up internal components of a filtration system in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a top view of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a view of a filter support beam in an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the filter support beam shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side sectional view of a cyclonic separator portion of afiltration system in an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic depiction of filtration, adsorption andprecipitation processes within a filtration system's filter in anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 shows a cross-sectional view of a purification system inembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of a seepage pipe of a purificationsystem according to FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 shows a flow process diagram of a method of constructing afiltration system in an embodiment of the present invention.

VI. DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in theart to make and use the present teachings. Various modifications to theillustrated embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in theart, and the generic principles herein may be applied to otherembodiments and applications without departing from the presentteachings. Thus, the present teachings are not intended to be limited toembodiments shown, but are to be accorded the widest scope consistentwith the principles and features disclosed herein. The followingdetailed description is to be read with reference to the figures, inwhich like elements in different figures have like reference numerals.The figures, which are not necessarily to scale, depict selectedembodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of the presentteachings. Skilled artisans will recognize the examples provided hereinhave many useful alternatives and fall within thee scope of the presentteachings. While embodiments of the present invention are discussed interms of a water runoff filtration system, it is fully contemplatedembodiments of the present invention could be used in most any liquidfiltration system without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Embodiments of the present invention can have a cylindrical housingbuilt in modular sections, beginning with a lower portion consisting ofa “sump” section and a cyclonic separator section stacked on top of thesump section. A upper portion of the cylindrical housing carries afilter and other components as described below. The upper portion can bestacked directly on top of the separator section. It is closed at thetop by a “cap” section. These modular sections can be made of pre-castconcrete and collectively create a single cylindrical unit.

The upper portion can include an inlet pipe, a filter section, an outletpipe, and a cleanout pipe extending into an opening through the filtersection. The top or “cap” section can include an access hatch.

When the upper portion is mounted on top of the separator section, theinlet can be positioned so it will deliver contaminated water into aregion between the cyclonic separator and the filter or, in other words,above the separator but below the filter. The contaminated water swirlsaround above the separator, allowing heavier sediments to precipitateand drop down into the sump section. The water pressure which drives theincoming flow then forces the contaminated water to flow up (or“up-flow”) through the filter, thus further removing contaminants. Afterpassing up through the filter into a chamber above the filter, thefiltered water is discharged via the outlet pipe.

This system has several advantages over previous designs from thestandpoint of cost of installation and maintenance. Previous systemshave been expensive to build and maintain. The modular system describedabove is easy to install. The cleanout pipe permits easy and directaccess to accumulated sediment or sludge in the sump section by amaintenance person. It is located so the maintenance person can open theaccess hatch and have direct, line of sight access to the sump sectionfor easily pumping it clean via conventional mechanical suction devices.

The system disclosed here is designed so the filter may be periodicallycleaned by reverse flushing the filter with water, thus drivingaccumulated contaminates backward from the filter. During maintenanceand cleanout, the maintenance person will typically pump out the sumpsection, reverse flush the filter, and then pump the sump section cleana second time.

The filter can be, made of porous concrete. Occasionally, the filteritself will become fouled to the point where it can no longer beadequately cleaned by reverse flushing. Alternatively, there may be aneed to change to a different type or porosity of concrete filterdesigned to remove a different set of contaminants or to operate at adifferent flow rate. To accommodate easy filter replacement the filtercan be installed in fitted sections horizontally across the upperportion of the housing. This makes it easy to install and remove anotherwise heavy and bulky concrete filter. The sections are sealedtogether by conventional insulating foam or the like. The cap section ofthe cylindrical housing may be lifted entirely from the filter structurein order to provide access to the filter for a replacement operation.The modular filter is also designed to be installed or replaced throughthe access opening in the center of the cap section. This can enhancethe long term maintainability (see FIG. 5).

While removal efficiencies will vary depending on the makeup of theconcrete filter, the filtration system described here is capable ofexceeding both North American and European pollutant removal standards.

Referring now to the drawings, and first to FIG. 1, shown generally at10 is a storm water filtration system constructed in accordance with anembodiment of the invention. The filtration system 10 is primarilycomposed of a cylindrical housing 12, a porous concrete filter 14(further described later), a hydrocyclonic or “cyclonic” separator 16,an inlet pipe 18 and an outlet pipe 20. All pipes used in this systemare conventional. The cylindrical housing 12 and cyclonic separator 16can be made from pre-cast concrete sections, or the like, as will befurther described below. However, cyclonic separator 16 can be made ofother materials including, but not limited to, fiberglass, polymers, oraggregate without departing from the spirit of the invention.

As best shown in FIG. 3, the cylindrical housing 12 is made up of one ormore different modular sections 12A, 12B, 12C, 12D vertically stackedone on top of the other. While FIG. 3 shows cylindrical housing 12 madeup of four modular sections, it is fully contemplated cylindricalhousing 12 could be made up of most any number of modular sectionswithout departing from the spirit of the invention. Section 12A makes upthe top, or upper, portion of the cylindrical housing 12; section 12B isthe middle; section 12C is the bottom; and section 12D is a cap restingon section 12A and closing the top of cylindrical housing 12.

Each of the three stacked sections 12A, 12B, and 12C may vary in size.By way of example, for a system designed for use in flow applicationswhere treatment flow is, but not limited to, less than 0.8 cubic feetper second, and peak flow is, but not limited to, 2.0 cubic feet persecond or less, the approximate dimensions would be as follows: (1) theinternal diameter of the cylindrical housing can be 60.0 inches; (2)section 12C functions as a sediment basin or sump and can havesufficient vertical height to create 24 inches of sump space belowsection 12B; (3) section 12B is the cyclonic separator section and canhave a vertical height of about 12 inches; and (4) section 12A can havea height of about 72 inches. The overall height of system 10 isapproximately 10 feet. While specific dimensions have been given above,it is fully contemplated most any of these dimensions could be alteredwithout departing from the spirit of the invention. These dimensionscould change depending on the filtration specifications needed or asstated above the treatment flow necessary for filtration system 10.

As indicated above, section 12C provides a sediment storage area 22 andmakes up the bottom portion of filtration system 10. It can be slopedtoward center-bottom to allow sediment to settle in the center of thecylindrical housing 12 for cleanout purposes. Section 12B rests directlyabove and on section 12C. It carries the cyclonic separator 16.Likewise, section 12A rests on top of section 12B. For systems designedout of concrete, all of these sections 12, 12B, and 12C have annularshoulders on their tops and bottoms (e.g., numerals 15, 17 in FIG. 3) soone can be stacked on top of another at the installation site. Annularshoulders 15 and 17 can also have rubber gaskets to provide water tightsealing. This configuration allows system 10 to be pre-cast in sectionselsewhere and then transported to a worksite for assembly andinstallation. For systems where filtration system 10 is designed out ofother materials such as fiberglass, stainless steel, or other polymers,sections 12A, 12B, and 12C may be made of one section and may notrequire the use of annular shoulders or gaskets.

The cap 12D, which rests directly on top of section 12A, has an accesshatch 24. The access hatch 24 normally remains closed until amaintenance person needs to access the interior of the system 10 afterassembly, typically to clean out the sediment storage area or slump 22.The seams where sections 12A, 12B, 12C fall below the invert of theoutlet pipe 20 can also be sealed as needed for no leakage (e.g., withrubber gaskets 15, 17). Inlet pipe 18 and all piping network prior tothe treatment unit below the invert elevation of the outlet pipe 20 willalso be required to be watertight and leak free. This helps to maintainan internal water surface elevation not to extend below the invert ofthe outlet pipe 20, thus ensuring the constant submersion of the filter14 at all times.

When system 10 is in use, untreated or unfiltered water enters thecylindrical housing 12 through inlet pipe 18. Inlet pipe 18 is locatedbelow porous concrete filter 14 and just above cyclonic separator 16 todeliver water directly into a middle chamber 26 above the separator 16.

After entering cylindrical housing 12, inlet pipe 18 turns at an angleof about 90 degrees (e.g., 27 in FIG. 1). This directs incoming waterinto a continually swirling action above cyclonic separator 16. Thefunnel like shape of cyclonic separator 16, combined with the swirlingmovement of the water; promotes the separation of solid substances mixedin the incoming liquid. Separated solids then drop into sediment storagearea or sump 22 where the water is calm and the solids are likely tonever re-suspend until they are suctioned out through maintenance. FIG.8 sets forth a more detailed illustration of cyclonic separator 16. Asindicated above, separator 16 can be composed of concrete, fiberglass,stainless steel, or polymers and fashioned to have a shallow,funnel-like shape. Cyclonic separator 16 may be molded as part of theentire cylinder section 12B.

Unfiltered water can enter via inlet pipe 18 and eventually fill thespace below filter 14. Water can then be forced upward and throughfilter 14 into an upper chamber 28. Concrete filter 14, which will bedescribed in greater detail below, serves as both a physical andchemical filter removing contaminants from the water. When the water inchamber 28 reaches a sufficiently high level relative to outlet pipe 20,it is discharged from filter system 10.

As should be clear by now, system 10 cleans contaminated water in twostages. The first stage involves the separation of sediments bygravitation as water enters system 10 and swirls around above cyclonicseparator 16. The second stage involves up-flow filtration throughconcrete filter 14.

FIG. 9 generally depicts how concrete filter 14 operates. Porousconcrete filters can be designed to allow different flow rates throughthem. In this instance, porous filter 14 includes an iron compoundcausing filter 14 to act as both a physical and chemical filter.

The pores in the filter 14 partly serve to physically separatecontaminants from the water. as indicated generally at 30 in FIG. 9. Inaddition, contaminants like hydrocarbons and dissolved heavy metals areadsorbed by the internal surfaces created by pores through filter 14.This is generally indicated at 32. In addition, the iron compound infilter 14 buffers and promotes chemical precipitation of some dissolvedcontaminants, as indicated at 34.

A uniqueness about the design described here is it has a physical designthat is easy to assemble and maintain. Concrete filter 14 is also easyto replace which will eventually become necessary as the system 10 ages.

In this respect, FIG. 5 shows:, physically, porous concrete filter 14can be made up of several distinct filter pieces or sections, 14A-14G.These sections are supported inside section 12A by a framework ofindividual beam supports 36, 38 and channel side supports 40, 42. FIGS.6 and 7 illustrate top and side views of The two beam supports 36, 38extend across the inside of cylindrical section 12A. Each end 44, 46 ofeach beam support is anchored to the inside wall of section 12A. Thesesupports 36, 38 have small rectangular supports 48, 50, 52 providehorizontal shoulders upon which filter sections 14A-14G rest. The twochannel supports (one on each interior side of section 12A) have similarsupports 54, 56; providing shoulders for filter sections 14A-14B and14E-14F, respectively.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, each filter section 14A-14G has a handle 58for installation and removal. During assembly of the various componentsof system 10, the framework described above is connected to the interiorwalls of section 12A and individual filter sections are installed on theframeworks The filter sections are bonded together with a conventionalsealing foam when installed, but may be easily broken or cut apart whenand if it becomes necessary to remove them.

As illustrated in the various Figures, the system 10 includes a centralpipe 60 creating a passageways through filter sections 14A-14G. The topof central pipe 60 is usually above the invert of the outlet pipe 20. Asreflected in the drawings, outlet pipe 20 has an open “T” section 62 onthe inside of cylindrical housing 12 allowing filtered water to pass outthrough outlet pipe 20.

During normal operation, as water “up-flows” through filter 14, intoupper chamber 28 above filter 14, the water level will rise until thefiltered water exits via outlet pipe 20. In extraordinary situations,such as extreme flooding, more contaminated water may enter thecylindrical housing 12 at a rate higher than the maximum flow ratefilter 14 can handle. In such case, unfiltered water may eventually riseup and spill over the top of central pipe 60 until incoming flow levelsare reduced.

FIG. 2 illustrates a separate, upstream sump structure, indicatedgenerally at 64, for separating heavier sediments before contaminatedwater enters the cylindrical housing 12. The contaminated water entersinlet pipe 66 into a tank 68 formed in sections 70. 72. much likecylindrical housing 12. The outlet pipe 74 of the upstream sumpstricture 64 is connected to the inlet pipe 18 of cylindrical housing12. The sump structure 64 also has an access hatch 76 for clean-outpurposes.

In another embodiment a filter element consists of a molded body ofporous or pervious concrete and is a portion of a purification system asa body through which water flows. The molded body of concrete can have apore ratio of 15% to 35% volume. The molded body can consist of a singlegrain-size concrete with a filter grain-size of 0.25 to 4.0 m. Theconcrete can consist of natural or synthetic aggregates at 85% to 89% byvolume and 11% to 15% by volume of binder, In one embodiment a blastfurnace cement, for example CEM III/A according to DIN 1164-1 (DeutschesInstitut für Normung), may be used. However, it is contemplated asuitable organic resin may be used as the binding agent. Suitablecements for embodiments of the present invention contain 35% to 64% byweight Portland cement clinker, 36% to 65% by weight granulatedblast-furnace slag, as well as 0% to 5% by weight of conventionalsecondary components. To increase the adsorption action of the filteradditives such as iron oxides and/or iron hydroxides (Fe(OH)₂) can befurther added to the concrete 1%-15% by weight, especially 3% to 7% byweight, relative to the binder content, Other suitable additives can be,in particular, Fe(III) oxides such as goethite, Fe₂O_(3x)H₂O and/orhematite (Fe₂O₃). It is better for the adsorption characteristics forthe concrete to contain tip to approximately 10% by weight of aluminumoxides Al₂O₃ and/or layered silicates. At least one layer of porousconcrete has a CaO content of 7% to 10% in the molded body to provide asufficiently higher pH-value for the chemical precipitation of heavymetal ions.

According to an embodiment of the invention, the filter element is partof a purification system, in which the filter is arranged as a partitionbetween a lower and an upper compartment of a treatment chamber, whereina water feed opens into the lower compartment and a water outlet issuesfrom the upper compartment.

The filter action of the filter element, according to the invention, isdetermined by the size and the design of the pores. The dissolved toxicsubstances are removed through adsorption, ion exchange, chemicalprecipitation, and/or chelation through a high CaO portion in thecement. To assist in adsortion chemical precipitation and chelation, theporous body has as large a surface as possible, relative to its volume.So the vast majority of particles are filtered out through the depth ofthe filter, the porous nature of the filter lends to maximizing thesurface contact time of the pollutant to the filter. For example, themolded body could have an increasing fine porosity in the direction offlow. If the filter element has a modular design then individual filterparts can be replaced as needed. Solid particles are deposited on thefilter element from below since the water to be purified in thepurification system is forced to pass the filter element in theupward-flowing current. Thus, the filtered-out particles separate fromthe filter element and sink when the vertical current subsides. For thisreason, the lower compartment can preferably be formed as asedimentation space. In order to separate out the solid particles aseffectively as possible, a hydro-cyclone baffle with sludge trap belowit can be arranged in a sedimentation space. In order to activate theaction of the hydro-cyclone, the water feed is made to flow into thelower compartment in a tangential manner.

The filter element made in accordance with embodiments of the inventionand the purification system according to embodiments of the inventionare suitable for removal of particulate and dissolved heavy metal ionssuch as Cu, Pb, Zn, Cd, and Ni from contaminated water, in particularrainwater flowing down from metal roofs and transport surfaces.

For the water outlet from the treatment chamber, there are differentpossibilities. Thus, the water outlet can be formed by porous parts ofthe chamber wall. Alternatively or additionally, it can be formed usinga discharge pipe. In this case, the pipe is preferably, but notnecessarily, designed as a seepage pipe and embedded in awater-permeable filter material. According to the predictable wateraccumulation, several such pipes can also be connected to the uppersection of the treatment chamber in a parallel-facing or star-shapedarrangement. In this way, an infiltration trench system known in theart, may be formed for the seepage of the filtered water.

The pipe, like the filter element, may consist of porous concrete. Itthen acts as a second filter stage, which in like manner as the firstfilter stage of the filter element, can filter out toxic substances notcollected by the first stage.

The purification system represented in FIG. 10 shows three generallyvertical shafts arranged in the ground which are connected to each othervia pipes. A first shaft 100 may serve as the pre-filter. A second shaft200 encloses the main elements of the purification system. A third shaft300 serves as the control and rinsing shaft. The second shaft 200 mayhave a cylindrical tank adapted to be buried in the ground and ispreferably formed from concrete, much like a manhole structure used insewer systems. It is also contemplated shaft 200 may be fabricated froma suitable polymer, as discussed above. Shaft 200 includes a removablecover at the ground surface so the cover can be readily removed toprovide access to the interior thereof for maintenance and repairpurposes.

The water to be purified enters, via a pipe 400, a chamber 500 of shaft100 and via a pipe 700, a lower compartment 900 of a treatment chamber800 of shaft 200. Lower compartment 900 is separated from an uppercompartment 110 of treatment chamber 800 by a filter element 102 havinga modular design and arranged as a generally horizontal partition. Awater inlet 120 of pipe 700 opens tangentially into lower compartment900, so a swirling flow is generated. A 90 degree elbow attached to theend of pipe 700 may be used to promote a desired circular flow pattern.Arranged approximately at the center of lower compartment 900 can be afunnel-shaped element 130 with a central opening 140, which joinstogether with tangential inlet 120 forms a cyclone separator. Theswirling flow provides a greater dwell time for non-floatable solidspassing through sieve 600 to settle out. Via central opening 140, solidmatter precipitating in lower compartment 900 call fall down into asludge trap 150, from which it can be periodically suctioned by amaintenance worker via a disposal pipe 160. While disposal pipe 160 isshown as running along side filter element 102, it can also be designedto pass through filter element 102.

Filter element 102 can be constructed in a modular manner, perhapssimilar to the discussion above, from one or more plates consisting ofno-fine texture, porous concrete with a high portion of CaO component inthe cement; The lower plates in a stack of such filter plates can have amore coarse porosity than the upper plates. Through this, the smallersolid particles of the water to be purified, which flows through filterelement 102 in the up-flow process, are not already retained at theunderside of filter element 102, but rather disperse in the deeper lyinglayers. The purified water reaches upper compartment 110 flowing offfrom there into a control and rinsing chamber 190 of control and rinsingshaft 300, via water outlet 170 and a pipe 180. Pipe 180 is designed asa seepage pipe and displays the cross section shown in FIG. 11. Likefilter element 102, pipe 180 can consist of porous concrete, inparticular with a pH-reactive floor of 320. Due to this floor of 320,the pH value of the water is increased to a value of 7 to 9. Pipe 180 ofporous concrete is shown as being embedded in a so-called “infiltrationtrench”, filling 210 consisting of a special filter material. Thisfacilitates a large-surface distribution of the water to be drainedaway. It is to be understood several such pipes 180 can be connected toboth the upper compartment 110 of shaft 200 and to the control andrinsing chamber 190. There local laws or regulations forbid the use ofinfiltration trenches, the filtered rainwater runoff can flow out fromchamber 110, via non-porous pipe into a municipality's storm waterserver system.

In order to be able to receive an unexpectedly high volume and, if needbe, to discharge it unpurified, an overflow pipe 220 is shown leadingfrom pre-filter chamber 500 into upper compartment 10 of treatmentchamber 800. In a corresponding manner an overflow pipe 230 is connectedto control and rinsing chamber 190, in order to allow water unable toseep to be discharged.

As FIG. 10 shows, the water outlet 170 is arranged so filter element 102lies below the water line. Prevented through this is a drying out offilter element 102, and in particular. a caking in filter element 102 ofsolid particles such as clays, etc., which would negatively influencethe effectiveness of filter element 102 and its service life and abilityto be rinsed. Water can also be introduced, via treatment chamber 800,in order to back-rinse filter element 102 from time to time. Theparticles loosened from filter element 102 then sink into sludge trap150. In this way, material deposited in pipe 180 can also be rinsed intothe control and rinsing shaft 190.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, filter element102 can comprise a porous or permeable concrete material made fromgravel or stone, cement (or any other bonding agent such as a syntheticresin), water, but little or no sand, and crushed quartz has been foundto serve well as the aggregate. This mixture creates an open cellstructure allowing; storm water to filter through the porous concretelayers. Depending on the blend, stone size, head pressure and thethickness of the plates, the porous concrete filter element 102 can pass15 to 25 gallons of water per minute through its open cells for eachsquare foot of surface area also depending on the designed headpressure. It is fully contemplated the filter element 102 could pass anyamount of water per minute based upon many factors such as the blend,stone size, thickness of the plates, head pressure, and concrete withoutdeparting from the spirit of the invention. As indicated, the perviousconcrete may have a void structure of 20% to 250%, allowing water toreadily pass through it at the rate indicated. The efficiency of removalof pollutants decreases with increasing pore size of the filter element102 or increasing flow rate due to an increased head pressure. Whereheavy metal concentrations in the storm water are low, a higher flowrate can be achieved using filter plates having a larger pore size. Withlarger pore sizes and medium-to-high metal concentrations in the stormwater runoff, additives placed in the filter element 102 may be used toachieve sufficient cleaning capacity to meet applicable standards. Thelime naturally occurring in cement renders the filter material alkalineand reacts with certain pollutants, such as phosphates, to precipitateand/or adsorb dissolved contaminants so they ultimately become entrappedin the filter element 102 or settle out into the sedimentation trap 150at the base of shaft 200.

Hydrocarbons tend to become entrained in the pores of filter element102. Chemical additives can be blended with the cement or resin used informing the porous concrete to address selected target pollutants Forexample, Fe₂O₃ in powder form having a particle size less than 1 micronmay be added to cement prior to its being nixed with aggregate and waterto form the porous concrete. The presence of the Fe₂O₃ has been found toenhance the ability of the filter plates to adsorb phosphorous.

Iron oxides and hydroxides promote the chemical precipitation of heavymetals as insoluble metal hydroxides and phosphates as iron-phosphates.Also, they enhance the ability of the filter 14 or filtration system 10to adsorb pollutants. Other additives may include limestone expandedclay and recycled concrete.

Certain zeolites having an infinity to heavy metal ions can also beblended in with the crushed rock or stone and cement in mixture so thezeolite can be embedded directly in the filter element 102.Alternatively, a layer of zeolite can be inserted in a space betweenadjacent plates of porous concrete filter element 102. Suitable zeolitesmay include clinoptilolite, phillipsite, or mordenite.

It is contemplated a slow release bactericidal agent can be added to theconcrete blend or added as an intermediate layer between filter platesto kill various target bacteria, such as E. Coli resulting from fecalpollution.

In operation storm water runoff from roads, parking lots, buildingroofs, etc., flows into shaft 100 where leaves, sticks, and other debrisgreater than the mesh size of sieve 600 are caught for subsequentremoval. Storm water carrying particles of dirt and sand along withother dissolved pollutants flow through pipe 700 and through water inlet120 into lower compartment 900 to create a circulating flow promotingthe settling out of non-floatable debris into sump 150. As the stormwater builds up in lower chamber 900, it ultimately permeates throughthe porous concrete filter element 102 to reach the level of outlet pipe180, In passing through filter element 102, various pollutants areeither trapped within the filter element 102 or are precipitated outtherefrom to end up in the sump or sludge trap 150.

Be cause filter element 102 is constantly located under the staticliquid level maintained in the vessel, it prevents drainage andresulting clogging of filter element 102 by fine sediments. Also, thecirculatory flow of water beneath filter element 102 provides ascrubbing action tending to remove solid particles and oils from theundersurface of the filter element 102. The lifetime of the porousconcrete filter material necessarily depends on the concentration ofpollutants in the runoff water reaching shaft 200. On average, thefilter element 102 need only be replaced about every two years. However,in many installations, much less frequent replacement is required.

With reference to FIG. 12, a flow process diagram of a method ofconstructing a filtration system 10 in an embodiment of the presentinvention is shown. In filtration system 10 construction process 310sediment storage area 22 could be formed near the bottom of housing 12at state 312. Separator 16 could then be positioned above sedimentstorage area 22 at state 314. Porous filter 14 can then be placed aboveseparator 16 with inlet pipe 18 entering between filter 14 and separator16 at state 316. Finally, cap 12D with access hatch 24 could be coupledabove filter 14 having outlet 20 located inbetween at state 318.

Thus, embodiments of the LIQUID FILTRATION SYSTEM are disclosed. Oneskilled in the art will appreciate the present teachings can bepracticed with embodiments other than those disclosed. The disclosedembodiments are presented for purposes of illustration and notlimitation, and the present teachings are limited only by the claimsfollow.

1-34. (canceled)
 35. A stormwater treatment apparatus comprising: (a) ashaft having a bottom, at least one sidewall and a top spaced from thebottom by the at least one sidewall, and a stormwater inlet port formedthrough the at least one sidewall at a predetermined distance above thebottom; (b) an inlet pipe disposed in the inlet port and oriented toproduce a circular flow of stormwater within a portion of the shaftlocated below the inlet port for facilitating sedimentation of solidcontaminants present in the stormwater; (c) a pervious concrete filterdimensioned to abut the at least one sidewall and is horizontallydisposed within the shaft at a location above the stormwater inlet port,the filter being modular and porous; and (d) an outlet in the at leastone sidewall located above the level of the pervious concrete filterwhereby stormwater exiting the shaft must first pass through the filter.36. The stormwater treatment apparatus as in claim 35 wherein the shaftis cylindrical and the bottom includes a frusto-conically shaped recess.37. The stormwater treatment apparatus as in claim 35 wherein the porousconcrete filter contains at least one chemical additive for adsorbing orprecipitating a dissolved pollutant that may be present in thestormwater.
 38. The stormwater treatment apparatus as in claim 37wherein the chemical additive is selected from a group consisting offerric oxide, hydroxides and zeolite.
 39. The stormwater treatmentapparatus as in claim 35 wherein the filter comprises first and secondlayers of pervious concrete sandwiching at least one of an ion exchangeor an ion adsorbing medium therebetween.
 40. The stormwater treatmentapparatus as in claim 39 wherein the ion adsorbing medium is selectedfrom a group consisting of limestone, expanded clay, or recycledconcrete intermixed with iron oxides, iron hydroxides and zeolite.
 41. Afiltration system, comprising: a modular housing having a bottomportion, a middle portion stacked upon the bottom portion and an upperportion stacked upon the middle portion, and a cap coupled to the upperportion; a sediment storage area within the bottom portion; a separatorarea within the middle portion; a molded filter of porous concretewithin the upper portion; and an access hatch within the cap.
 42. Thefiltration system of claim 41, wherein the porosity of the filterbecomes finer as water travels from a middle chamber to an upperchamber.
 43. A modular filter, comprising: a single layer of a pluralityof multi-shaped filter elements made of a porous concrete, poresdecrease in size in a flow direction in a continuous manner; and asealant to seal together the plurality of multi-shaped filter elements.44. The modular filter of claim 43, wherein the filter elements are acombination of substantially shaped rectangular filter elements andsubstantially sector shaped filter elements.
 45. The modular filter ofclaim 43, wherein the filter elements include an iron compound.
 46. Themodular filter of claim 43, wherein pores of the filter elements absorbhydrocarbons and dissolved heavy metals.
 47. The modular filter of claim43, wherein the filter elements are retained within a filtration system.48. The modular filter of claim 47, wherein the filter elements areretained in an upper portion of the filtration system.
 49. The modularfilter of claim 48, wherein the filter elements are supported bysupports.
 50. The modular filter of claim 49, wherein at least one ofthe supports is a beam support which extends across the upper portion ofthe filtration system anchored into a wall.
 51. The modular filter ofclaim 50, wherein at least one support is a channel support whichsupports the filter elements.
 52. The modular filter of claim 43,further comprising a handle coupled to at least one of the filterelements.
 53. The modular filter of claim 43, wherein pores of thefilter elements absorb dissolved heavy metals.
 54. The modular filter ofclaim 43, wherein pores of the filter elements absorb phosphates.